About Me

Sunday, June 30, 2013

When I took Amy and Oscar for their walk yesterday, I had no idea of how it was to unfold. There was a fine break around 3:00 pm and I drove to the school to have shelter if it rained and also to give the three cows some bread. That done, I went into the sheep paddock to see how the new lambs were doing. To my horror, one of the pregnant ewes was down almost on her back in slippery mud and afterbirth, frantically struggling to get to her feet. There was no sign of a lamb.

I immediately phoned the Principal (I have been given his mobile number to use when I find something wrong after hours at the school...eg. a break-in, doors left unlocked, windows left open, cows, sheep and goats that have broken out of their paddocks....because the Principal lives in Sydney, he then phones a teacher living locally to come fix whatever the problem happens to be.) On this occasion the teacher from Berrima who is in charge of the farm animals was called in.

In the meantime, I managed to push and pull the poor distressed mum over onto her belly, but she was so heavy I couldn't get her up. To stop her struggling, I propped her against my legs (sore knee today!) and spent the next thirty minutes talking softly to her, stroking her face and head to keep her calm and to comfort her. Poor thing was all but worn out; no idea how long she'd been lying in the mud and rain but probably hours, if not all day trying to give birth.

It was getting dark and rain had started by the time Steve arrived . He could see that the lamb was still inside its mother and had to be got out if either were to survive. I held the mother's body while Steve gently pulled the lamb out. It was dead and I cried for the loss of such a beautiful little creature. I felt its tiny, warm, wet body, perfect white body; long, brown legs and brand new little hooves that would never feel the grass beneath them....and I cried some more.

The poor mother had had enough by this time, her struggle had worn her out and even though I held onto her head I could see from her eyes she had no more strength left. Steve told me to go home then but he would stay for another hour to see if the mother might come good. I phoned him a couple of hours later only to hear that he had to put her down. All those months growing a new life and now both of them gone.

I can't describe how sad I was all night - still am! Over the years I've sort of been "adopted" by the teachers and students of this school! I can walk in any time of the day and be greeted by all of them. The school has only about thirty high school pupils, both sexes, who haven't been able to fit into the mainstream system for all different reasons : terrible home life, drugs, in trouble with the police and many other sad situations, but I get on with them, have always received respect from them; they know I love the animals.....and they're always interested in my running capers!

Heavens above! I didn't think this would take so long to tell, but I'm glad I've written it all down if for no other reason than that it helps me to let go of the heart-breaking scene that has occupied my thoughts since yesterday. I didn't go near the paddock today and took Amy and Oscar for a long walk in another direction They were both such good little things yesterday, waiting by the car for me to return.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

This is the sixth day here of continuous rain ....day and night! If there ever is a week of not being able to run because of one problem or another, then this week would be the one to have picked! For that reason alone I'm glad to be inside, warm and dry while staying up late at night watching Wimbledon tennis and then lying in late next morning!

I really would like to put on the runners next week and try a short jog....my knee improving.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

More rain for most of today. However, we could no longer remain housebound so the three of us set off for a walk around the school where there was some shelter. Also, I had some stale bread and scones for the three cows, Daisy-May, Annabelle and Sylvia! The last one named by one of the girls at the school who said she liked the name 'Sylvia', so Sylvia it is! Ploughing our way through the mud, wet grass, sloppy cow pats and blackberry bushes wasn't Amy's or Oscar's idea of fun so they took off back to the car where they sat waiting till I returned.....clever little things!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Sunday, June 23, 2013

I'm in the midst of having several medical tests one of which, fingers crossed, I hope will show why my knee is so painful. In the meantime, I can't run but can enjoy the sun...if only there was some! Rain and more rain all weekend and the week ahead. Doggies didn't even get their walk today and that hardly ever happens. At least they don't get cross with me and do things like this......

Anyhow, when I know more health news, I'll be sure to post it here first.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Taped my knee with rigid sports tape this morning and it seemed to work better than the previous methods because I managed 8km without pain! Now, if I can do that again tomorrow...and the next day...and the next! Nice, sunny morning, cool breeze; through and around Renwick....some walk breaks.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

That's today's run, brought to an abrupt stop when my knee became just too painful to continue, forcing a walk for the last two kilometres of what was supposed to be a longer run than I've been doing lately. It seems I'll have to look into this further.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Sunny start today, a little windy and cold...but it was another day that I ran! More correctly.... call it jogging..it was easy and slow to keep HR around 75% of Max. Knee OK but pain more noticeable during last kilometre.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Difficult to 'seize the day' considering I could hardly see it through the heavy fog!

I got myself out as I promised myself I would, knee taped and prepared for the worst...i.e having to call a halt with knee pain. Though there were twinges of pain while I jogged, I kept a steady jog going with barely 100m ahead visible firstly through fog and at around 3km, through fog and rain. It was eerily quiet going through Renwick streets where weather had all but halted work on the new housing, except for the occasional tapping of a hammer and the zap of those nail 'staplers'?echoing through the fog from the invisible rooftops.

Today's 7km.

Today, 7km in 56 min...with a few walk breaks and some knee discomfort.AHR 72%; MHR 82%

Thursday, June 06, 2013

My knee is still painful so I've decided to rest it until the weekend by which time I'd like to think I can get out for my long run, the most important one of the week. Till then, I'll be like this 'person'!!

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

I didn't run today. It seems from out of nowhere I have a very painful knee, inner side of leg and I didn't realize just how painful it was until I went down steps to the garage.....Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! on each step.

I'll start tomorrow's tempo run but will stop if pain persists .....unless a miracle happens overnight!

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

After yesterday's long run, today was an easy day. Another even more brilliant day than yesterday : full sun, no wind, could even be called warm. I didn't need to leave home with the usual warm top...just a t-shirt. During the run I took a few walk breaks to keep HR between 75/ 80%. Finished with a few stretches on the grass in the sun.

Monday, June 03, 2013

Got the long run for last week done today! Brilliant winter's morning after early frost; running into slight wind on the return. Took it easy; forgot to turn monitor on after stopping at the end of DF Road, missing 4k which shows on the map like I travelled by air!